Fireplace asembly

ABSTRACT

A firebox assembly having a refractory firebox and a metal hood, the walls of the metal hood having an interior sheet member and an exterior sheet member defining an interior air gap for heat insulation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of fireplaces found in homes or other structures, and more particularly relates to open-hearth fireplaces. Even more particularly, the invention relates to such fireplaces having modular fireboxes, i.e., fireboxes composed of mortared or non-mortared assemblies of prefabricated refractory blocks.

Fireplaces are well known and fall into two main categories—metal or refractory. Refractory fireplaces, including what are referred to as masonry fireplaces, are composed of assembled bricks or blocks of refractory material, the material of composition being chosen for high strength and high temperature resistance. A particularly suitable material is a composition containing a high amount of pumice. Fireplaces composed entirely of metal, such as steel or aluminum, or also known. While metal fireplaces are lightweight and relatively easy to install, they are often considered to be of lesser quality than refractory fireplaces, which are heavier and more difficult to install. The use of modular, prefabricated blocks of various shapes which are designed to interfit without the need for mortar have made installation of refractory fireplaces easier.

Refractory fireplaces can present problems in areas of expected seismic activity because of the weight of the upper portions of the fireplace, building codes in states with high seismic activity may even preclude their use in certain instances.

It is an object of this invention to provide a fireplace assembly that combines advantages of metal fireplaces and refractory fireplaces, wherein the fireplace assembly comprises a refractory firebox and a metal hood or smoke chamber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a fireplace assembly having a refractory firebox and a metal hood mounted onto the refractory firebox, the metal hood comprising a smoke chamber or dome that transitions into a small, preferably circular outlet for coupling with a metal flue or chimney. The metal hood has a double wall construction defining an interior air space or gap. The metal hood is preferably provided with a peripheral flange and skirt that mounts to the upper portion of the firebox.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the metal hood.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a fireplace assembly with a metal hood mounted onto a refractory firebox.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the fireplace assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings, the invention in representative embodiments will now be described in detail with regard for the best mode and preferred embodiment. In general, the invention is a fireplace assembly having a refractory firebox, preferably composed of interlocking prefabricated refractory blocks and a metal hood mounted atop the firebox, the metal hood having a double walled construction defining an interior air gap.

The firebox 10 of the fireplace assembly is a refractory firebox 10, the term refractory firebox 10 being taken herein to include masonry fireboxes 10. Preferably the firebox 10 is composed of interlocking blocks 11 of refractory material, the material preferably comprising pumice for its relatively light weight, that may be assembled without the need for mortar or adhesive. The firebox 10 generally comprises two side walls 12, a rear wall 13, a floor 14, and optionally a damper beam 15 spanning walls 12 and 13. The firebox 10 has an open front and an open top.

The metal hood 20 is a primarily four-sided member with a general pyramidal shape such that the hood 20 transitions from a large open bottom to a small open top. The transitional portion is a smoke dome or chamber 21 that assists in drawing smoke and gasses from the fire box 10 for passage out through a metal chimney or flue 31. A spark arrestor device 32 is mounted atop the chimney 31. The smoke dome 21 comprises a front wall 22, two side walls 23, a back wall 24 and optionally a top wall 25. A chimney mount 26 is provided on the top wall 25 for coupling with the chimney 31. A perimeter flange 27 and skirt flange 28 is provided on the bottom of the smoke dome 21, the flanges 27 and 28 sized such that they snuggly abut the outer surfaces of the upper portion of the refractory firebox 10. The metal hood 20 is attached to the refractory firebox 10 utilizing mechanical fasteners and/or adhesive means.

The smoke dome 21 and preferably the chimney mount 26 are provided as double walled members, such that each comprises an interior sheet member 41 and an exterior sheet member 42. The interior sheet members 41 and the exterior sheet members 42 are spaced so as to define an interior air gap or air space 43. The air gap 43 acts as insulation to minimize the amount of heat transferred through the metal hood 20, such that most of the heat is directed up the chimney 31.

It is understood that equivalents or substitutions for certain elements set forth above may be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art, and therefore the true scope ad definition of the invention is to be as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A fireplace assembly comprising: a firebox composed of refractory material; a metal hood mounted onto said firebox, said metal hood comprising walls having interior sheet members and exterior sheet members, whereby an insulating air gap is defined between said interior sheet members and exterior sheet members.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said metal hood comprises a smoke dome and a chimney mount connected to said smoke dome.
 3. The assembly of claim 2, said metal hood further comprising a perimeter flange and a skirt flange, whereby said perimeter flange and said skirt flange abut said firebox.
 4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said firebox comprises an assembly of prefabricated blocks.
 5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said prefabricated blocks are interlocking.
 6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein said prefabricated blocks comprise pumice.
 7. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said firebox comprises an assembly of prefabricated blocks.
 8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said prefabricated blocks are interlocking.
 9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein said prefabricated blocks comprise pumice. 